I think if they tried that at EK you would see an exodus of pilots. Dubai is getting more expensive by the day with a corresponding deterioration in buying power and working conditions. I'm guessing any further slide in roster quality would have a negative effect on attrition. What's the point of coming to the middle east if you can't save money and work yourself into an early medical disability?
I honestly don't see how Qatar finds people willing to sign up. I must be missing something.
maybe it's a good example of the boiling frog syndrome
Boiling frog - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia